Second Round Playoff Picks

Rick, Steph and I went 7 for 8 with our first round picks (Rick missed on Minny; Steph on the Pens and I blew it with Nashville).

Keith and my coffee cup went five for 8. The cup blew it on the Islanders (a seriously bad pick), Minny and Pittsburgh. Keith whiffed on the Sens-Pens, Nashville and the Thrashers.

On to the second round, I'm hopeful Steph from NPI will weigh in at some point too, although she may be way too busy celebrating the Wings' first round victory to send me her thoughts about round two.

Rick
No real upsets in the first round for a change this year. I am really excited about the second round match ups - there should be some good battles and fast paced hockey, especially in the East.

Ottawa / NJ

I expect Ottawa to continue their strong play this round. More will be expected from Emery but I think he is up to the challenge. Ottawa will need to start scoring early in this series so that Brodeur doesn't get into their heads.

It will be interesting to see if the Devils can handle the Sen's scoring depth and their stronger defence. I am on the Sen's bandwagon this year, why don't you all join me!! Sen's in 6.

Buffalo / NYR

This should be a fast paced, high scoring series but Buffalo needs to be wary about getting into high scoring games against the Rangers as they looked nervous at times in the Islander series.

Buffalo will provide a much stronger physical resistance than Atlanta but if the Rangers can win Game 1 this will be a long series. Expect some chippy play as Avery tries to get under the Russians skins like he did to Kovalchuk last round. It wouldn't surprise me if the Rangers win this series but I am picking Buffalo in 7.

Detroit / San Jose

I am still not convinced that San Jose is a cup contender but they will give Detroit all they can handle. I can't figure out which Detroit team will show up in this series - the team that dominated at home or the team that struggled at times on the road against the Flames. I am not sure that Datsyuk and Zetterberg are ready to pay the physical price necessary to win in the Playoffs and I think they will struggle with the physical play of San Jose.
Sharks in 7.

Vancouver / Anaheim
I guess we will find out if the Canucks scoring woes were a result of Turco or their own ineptitude. Anaheim played a solid defensive game in the first round and we will likely see more of the same in this series.

Niederpronger and Ducks look like a team poised for a long run. I hope the Canucks can score some goals and get me some points for my playoff draft before they bow out this round.
Ducks in 6.

Mike

The New York - Buffalo series reminds me of last year's match-up between New Jersey and Carolina.

Jersey had swept the Rangers in four and many saw that as a sign of the once dominant Devils returning. But anyone who watched that series should have seen it had far more to do with the Rangers playing terrible, terrible hockey.

Fast forward 12 months and I think quite a few folks are looking at the Rangers sweeping Atlanta and seeing it as some sort of portent for round 2. Well, I watched two of the New York - Thrashers games and the Thrashers were quite clearly never in either game. Bad goaltending, strange Ranger goals, a complete lack of composure, terrible coaching all combined to usher the Thrashers out of the post-season moreso than anything the Rangers did.

Lindy Ruff is far too smart to let his team get suckered the way Hartley lost control of his club, Miller is a way better keeper than either Lehtonen or Hedberg and the Sabres have far too much speed and depth for the Rangers D to handle. The Rangers likely have the worst collection of D in the playoffs. Not a good sign.

While Lindqvist may be hot, the Sabres managed to get by DiPietro and that guy seriously stood on his head. I just don't see the Blue Shirts giving their cousins from upstate New York any serious challenge.

I think Buffalo might get through in five, but I'll say Sabres in six to cover my ass.

New Jersey v. Ottawa

I love how the daily papers were setting this up as Emery vs. Brodeur. Unless it's a boxing match (and it might be knowing how Emery rolls) that's one of the laziest media set-ups going.

This series is going to be all about Ottawa's maturity and patience.

If Ottawa can relax and not force things against the trap, they'll come out of this series pretty quickly. If they lose focus or try to press things against the Devil's, New Jersey's transition game could hurt them.

Brodeur may steal a game and the Devil's system might win another but it won't be enough to knock off the Sens. Team Kanata has all the depth in this series and I think the National Capital Region will be crazier than ever, maybe partying to 11 PM or even midnight after the Sens take it in 6.

Vancouver v. Anaheim
For all that's holy, I hope the Ducks sweep the Canucks. Someone should be punished for the hockey that was played between Vancouver and Dallas in round one. Dreadful dreadful stuff. Star Trek geeks score more frequently than those trapping, plodding teams.

Anaheim in five.

San Jose v. Detroit
For me, this is the hardest series to call. San Jose seemed lucky to win game 1 and they looked just awful in game 2. Detroit seemed to be two teams in their first round series. I was shocked at just how badly they played in games 3 and 4 in Calgary.

I have three sharks and three wings in my playoff pool so I'm hoping this one goes seven very high scoring games.

Call it a coin-flip pick: Wings in seven.

Keith
I'm going to end up mostly agreeing with the general trend here (save one little exception).

Rangers-Buffalo:
I'm with Mike. Atlanta looked terrible, disorganized and gutless. The Rangers didn't have to try that hard. They will against Buffalo. I'm not as concerned with covering my ass: Buffalo in Five.

Detroit-San Jose:
This Wings team may be a little schitzo (that Calgary series made NO sense to me at all) but they're bound to hit their stride some time. San Jose's good, but I don't think they're good enough. Detroit in six.

(Bonus Coverage: Does Joe Thornton finally lose his "can't cut it in the playoffs" label in this series?)

Vancouver-Anaheim
I love the Canucks and have since I was a kid, but last night's game put me to sleep. Luongo's great, but Ladislav Nagy is no Temu Selanne.

Ducks in Five (including a blowout tomorrow night where they have to pull Luongo)

Ottawa-NJ
"Hey, honey. Dinner was great, and thanks for washing the car. Do you mind going to the kitchen and getting me another beer?"

New Jersey in Seven.

As an aside, and as a dispassionate hockey fan, I think Ottawa was one of the two best-looking teams in the first round (the other one was Anaheim with San Jose being a close third). That said, I'm not getting my hopes up until they show up and play smart, disciplined hard-hitting hockey with good goaltending and timely scoring for another round.

Rick
C'mon Keith, I have a seat saved for you on the Sen's Bandwagon. Stop doubting and Start believing. They won't leave you heartbroken again, I promise.

BTW - Only when Thornton raises the cup will he then shake the bad rap. Yeah, sure he got 6 assists in the First Round but he needs to show some leadership and score a timely goal when his team needs it. Marleau is scoring those big goals for the Sharks right now.

Mike
I just figured Keith didn't want to mess with a good thing - he picked the Sens to lose in round 1 and they won. If he bucks the trend now, they could be eliminated and it would pretty much be his fault. He's got to pick the opposition from here on out, it's pretty much his only play.

Nevermind Thornton, the guy I feel sorry for is Turco. Two shut-outs and a save percentage north of .950 and he's going home the goat once again. What is he now, 3-13 all time in the playoffs? Amazing.

Keith
The Sens look good. Nobody wants it to be for real more than I do, but I can't get my hopes up again. (I will, however, be at Scotiabank Place on Monday and/or Wednesday).

Coffee Cup (actually a water glass for round 2)
Buffalo in 5
Ottawa in 7
San Jose in 6
Vancouver in 5

Rangers v. Atlanta (Battle of Who Could Care Less)

Atlanta (3) v. Rangers (6)

This is what an unbalance schedule brings you. A team seeded five spots higher than it should be and a team that I have about as much interest in as I do in reading Jane Austen.

Atlanta was a -5.6 in goal differential (GD*) this year and they somehow end up the three seed. That just ain't right. Tampa, at -15.6GD is the only other team with a negative GD to make the post-season. Just how bad is the South East division?** Now, I know that the last two cup champs have come out of the South East, but that's not going to happen this year.

As for the match-up at hand, I don't care who wins. Bob Hartley is a lousy coach, Lehtonen runs hot and cold and despite the talent on their roster, Atlanta seems to always underachieve.

One bench over are the Rangers, who are being defined by quality guys like Sean Avery and Colton Orr. Great.

Neither team is going to make it past the second round, but I think the Rangers will pull this off thanks to superior goaltending. Call it Rangers in 6, but I won't be watching.

*To learn more about GD and Pythagorean win formulas in hockey, and I urge you to do so, click here.
** 20 of Tampa's points came on the shoot-out, and they made the post season by 2 points. Yikes.

Keith
I'm with Mike, and what's more I'm kinda miffed at the fact that one of these teams gets to even MAKE it to the second round (give the Pens Atlanta and the Sens New York in round one instead of having a really GOOD team golfing earlier than it needs to be).

I'm going to take the Thrashers, though. For no other reason than a southeast team HAS to make some noise in the playoffs...because it's the playoffs.

Thrash in six games...but who cares?

Rick
I am still thinking about Keith's theory about SE Div. teams going all the way. Albeit, Tampa Bay and Carolina were both Conference leaders and Atlanta is number 3 seed by default so perhaps a 3-peat is not likely. But I have under estimated this Division before.

Despite Sather's dismal playoff record - only made it past the first round once in the past 14 years as Edm/NYR GM and I don't believe the Rangers have even won a playoff game since he took over - I like the grit they added with Avery and now that Shanahan's back I think they may make a bit of a run.

Rangers in 6.

Steph
I can't say I have much to add about the Rangers and the Thrashers than hasn't already been said (and really unless something drastic happens this is another one of those matchups I certainly won't be staying up until 3:30 am watching like certain other games).

I suppose maybe the Thrashers will be that weird dark horse Southeast team that takes it all when no one expects it, but I have more faith in the Rangers. And besides, I really like Petr Prucha.

Who knows.

Rangers in...seven? Sure.

Coffee Cup: Rangers in 6

Sens v. Pens

This exchange was written before game1 took place...so much for being the "match-up I couldn't wait to see..."

Senators (4) v. Penguins (5)

This is the match-up I can't wait to see.

The Penguins had to be the hottest team in the second half, playing over .700 hockey and threatening to catch Jersey for the second seed. They have an outstanding group of forwards, led by the best player in the game. At the opposite end of the ice, and perhaps of more interest, is how these Penguins managed to put up such spectacular numbers while icing a defensive corps that's built around a top 3 of Sergei Gonchar, Orpik and Whitney.

Meanwhile in Kanata, the Senators have all the depth and experience in this series, but they also have all the baggage.

I think this series will turn on game 1. If the Pens can put doubts in the Sens heads; if the post-game scrums are all about the c-word (CHOKE!) and if the Sens fail to expose the Penguin's youth, suspect D and uncertain goaltending the Pens will win it in 6.

If the Sens can come out of the gate and show who's boss, best player in the NHL or not, this one will be over in 5 and Ottawa will march through to the Semis...

Keith

Hey Mike, that was two "if's" ...what's your pick?

I've said it before, maybe even on this blog, that being a Sens fan is a lot like dating a brilliant, beautiful, funny woman...who cheats on you.

Every year, you take her back, you think it might be different this time around...and then it happens again.

You end up spending equal parts of your time wondering "if it's going to be different this time" and "what new humiliation is in store"? This metaphor is handy because it also explains why Sens fans hate the Leafs so much (you can't blame the woman...you have to hate the Dude she's cheating with more...) So I'm not doing it. I love her, I mean, them...but it's gonna take a couple of weeks of fancy meals, foot rubs and various other forms of special treatment, before I allow my hopes to be picked up.

The Senators SHOULD win. They have better goaltending and a much better D but... Pens in Seven

BTW Mike, I'd say "tell your coffee cup to try out for Raycroft's spot" but I think he'd be more suited on the Leaf blueline (he'd be at least as fast a skater as Wade Belak...)

Mike
Done - the coffee cup has been signed to the Leafs D with a five year, $25M deal including a no-movement clause.

This GM stuff is a breeze...

Steph
I'm not allowed to like the Sens.

I was brainwashed from the age of like two, Leafs good, Sens bad. Not to mention my co-blogger would probably never speak to me again if I said anything bad about her precious Penguins.

That said, if we're just looking at numbers and records and all that good stuff, it does seem like the Senators have the edge. I could go on about the Sens choking and the Pens youth, but I think if the Penguins play their cards right, they can even make that an advantage - they're a bunch of kids thrilled to be playing hockey in the playoffs, and sure they want to win, but they don't have that desperation to save face that Ottawa does. Then again that could work just as easily the other way around.

This is by far the most interesting matchup and it's too bad I can't get the game tonight because Chinese internet TV is more interested in giving me "ESPNBrazil" which as far as I can tell looks to be spreading The Wizard of Oz dubbed over with Pink Floyd's The Wall to the masses. Uhhh.

I'm going to say Pens in 7, but I think the first couple games of the series will decide it all.

Rick
Wow!! Sounds like a lot of conflicted Leaf fans are having a hard time picking the better team in this series.

Of course, I would have the same problem if Calgary was the better team in any series but thankfully they are not this year and even if they were I would still pick the other team.

Like many people, Syd the Kid's crew reminds me of the young Oilers of the early 80's, but you have to remember that it took a couple of years for those Oilers to find their way so I think it is a bit premature to start planning a parade in Pittsburgh.

I picked several Senators in my draft. I like the fact that they faced some adversity this year and did not peak too soon during the reg. season like in years past. I am not completely sold on Emery but he is solid and gives them a chance to win every game unlike Fleury who still has the penchant for giving up a weak goal from time to time and is still dodging the ghosts of Patrick O'Sullivan's goal in the 2003 WJC.

This time next year I might pick differently but this year it will be the Sen's in 6.

Coffee Cup: Pens in 6

NJD v. TB Lightning

New Jersey Devils (2) v. Tampa Bay Lightning (7)

Tampa is the only team in the NHL with two one-hundred point players this season. They are also the only team in the post-season that has goaltending that makes Raycroft look solid.

For the life of me, I can't figure out how Denis and Holmqvist can stink it up so much as starters, but lead the league in shoot-out save percentage. If it weren't for their acrobatics in the skills competition (first and second best save percentage; 10 wins, 2 losses) Tampa Bay wouldn't be anywhere near the playoffs.

Tampa was crushed in the first round by the Sens last year. While the Devils don't have the Sens' firepower, they usually only need to score two goals to win the game.

New Jersey in Five.

Rick
It will be interesting to see if Lamoriello can pull a rabbit from the hat again like in 1999 when he fired Ftorek and they ended up winning the Cup.

Quite frankly I have very little interest in this series. Jersey will ride Brodeur to another decent playoff run and end up coming up short against stronger Eastern Teams.

Tampa Bay will have another First Round Exit and spend the summer looking for a goalie again. Any money on Fernandez ending up there next year?

I suspect Tortorella's job will be on the line too if they get knocked out early. I think the players are getting tired of his act.

I am with Mike on this one, Jersey in 5.

Keith
I was gonna write this long thing about how Lou Lamerello would be the worst boss on earth (an unyeilding perfectionist who you know can do your job at least as well as you can) and how that's likely to light a fire under the butts of the Devils. But I just can't be bothered to say anything other than: Goaltending, goaltending, goaltending, goaltending, goaltending, goaltending, goaltending, goaltending, goaltending.

Devils in five.

Steph
Tampa's problem is that yeah, they've got some guys who can can tear it up points-wise when you throw them out there - but they're up against a team that's going to push their way on through the playoffs by the grace of Martin Brodeur, which basically renders their best chance, well, not quite as useful as they might have hoped.

NJ in five sounds good to me too - someone let me know if it actually happens, I doubt I'll be paying too much attention.

Mike
Steph - your comment about not watching the Tampa - New Jersey series made me wonder how many of these match-ups I'll actively watch. Now, keep in mind I'm the type of fan that will actually watch a Washington - Panthers game on a Tuesday in January.

Ottawa - Pittsburgh - This is the one I can't wait to see. Both teams can light the lamp, but there's the great sub-text of the Sens choking again plus I'm really curioius to know how this incarnation of the Pens do in their first-ever playoffs.

Nashville - San Jose - With all that talent, great goaltending, and solid coaching this should be a really compelling series. Will likely feature the best hockey.

Buffalo - New York Islanders - like watching a car crash or some horrible youtube video (gate to the groin skiing accident comes to mind) I'll watch this one just to see how bad the Islanders get dummied.

And this is where my interest starts to wane..

Calgary - Detroit - I don't really care who wins and neither outcome would surprise me.

Anheim - Minnesota - meh, Minnesota is everyone's sleeper pick. Burke's quips will likely be the best part of this series.

And it only goes downhill from here...

Vancouver - Dallas - a one line team with a hot goalie against a goalie who implodes each spring. I'll check the boxscores.

Atlanta - New York Rangers - I wish these guys had drawn other teams. Neither is going to make it past the second round, neither plays good hockey. I hate Bob Hartley and I hate the Rangers.

New Jersey - Tampa - I hope it ends quickly. Will anyone watch this?

Rick (sent Thursday morning)
I don't know about that Mike.

If the cramp in my remote control finger from switching between games and the bags under my eyes from staying up until 1:30 AM watching the Canucks are any indication, then there is going to be a lot of interesting series to watch.

Take the drama from last night for example:
Who would expected the blow out in Ottawa last night.
Who would have expected that the Stars/Canucks game would be more entertaining than the Ducks/Wild game. Only a cheesy goal by Penner and a goal post on Demitra prevented theWild from winning last night.
Bryzgalov in net for the Ducks ?
Cheechoo out with a knee injury
2 OT Games including a 4 OT battle in Vancouver ... and they have to play a 6 PM game tonight! Yikes!!

The fun is just beginning Gentleman, buckle yourself in for a long wildride!!

Coffee Cup: NJD in Five

Playoff Predictions 2007: Eastern Conference

With the Western Conference sorted out, it's time to turn our attention and bad picks eastward.

This year the playoff round table is comprised of yours truly, my pal Rick from Edmonton, Sens' fan Keith from PWI and Steph from No Pun Intended.

As I can't afford a monkey (actually, I probably could afford a monkey and would likely win the Best Dad Ever award from my kids if I did buy one, until the monkey chewed off an ear of gave one of them fleas) but do like to see how our picks stack up against the random walk, I'll be placing the match-ups on slips of paper which I will then draw out of my coffee cup. Games played (4 through 7) will also go into the mug to make it a bit more interesting...


Buffalo (1) v. New York Islanders (8)

I have to be honest and say that as a Leaf fan, I really wish it were the Blue and White taking on the Sabres this year. While I don't think the Leafs could have won the series, I honestly believe it would have made a better match-up and provided some more compelling hockey.

Instead, the braintrust at MLSE got outperformed by Charles Wang and Garth Snow. A sentence I honestly never thought I would type. A career back-up goalie and a guy who thought offering a contract in dog years to Alexi Yashin was a solid idea were able to ice a better team than MLSE. Let's take a minute to savour that shall we.

OK, back to the task at hand.

Buffalo has an abundance of fire power, a great goalie, rabid fans, unbelievable depth (Stafford, plus the return of Afinogenov and Connolly...) solid coaching, playoff experience and blazing team speed. The only aspect of their game that might catch up with them is their inability deal with size down low.

The Islanders have an AHL goalie with a catchy nickname, a coach with a score to settle, and, uh, er...that's about it. Even with the likes of Yashin (snicker), Blake, Smyth and Satan this group of forwards can't run and gun with the Sabres. As much as the playoffs have been rife with stories of rookie goalies getting hot and going on a run (from Dryden to Penny to Roy to last year's Ward and Miller) I don't think Dubie will be able to contain the Sabres over a seven game series (like it's going to go that far). Brendan Witt might be able to play 30 minutes a night, but that still leaves half a game for the Sabres to run it.

What's that leave the Islanders?

Five games before they go golfing, four if they're not careful.

Steph
I agree about the Leafs being the more interesting team to have a chance at this match up - I still think it's a shame, after that ridiculous Saturday game, that the Islanders got lucky.

Anyway, as much as I love Ryan Smyth, and as much as a little part of me wishes I had much hope for the Islanders for him alone, I highly doubt they have much of a chance. Buffalo's been a powerhouse this season, even when they were bogged down with injuries - and now those guys are starting to come back too - and if Afinogenov plays the way he did at the start of the season, that's just scary.

Basically the Islanders only chance is if Smytty calls a team huddle, points to the other end of the ice and reminds Marc-Andre Bergeron of his famous goalie-killing ability, MAB puts it to use where it could do some good, runs down Miller, and forces long-suffering Ty Conklin into net where his Post-Traumatic Stress Disease flares up, and while fighting off the flashbacks he lets the ugliest guy the Islanders have score what is essentially an empty netter on him. Again and again. All the way back down to the AHL. (As a disclaimer, I really don't think THAT bad of the guy anymore, I swear.)

That said, Sabres in 5.

Rick
Hilarious commentry about Bergeron and Conklin, nice job Steph.

Obviously everybody still has a hangover from the Leafs rollercoaster ride on the weekend.

Don't be sad, there is always next year (and the year after, and the year after ...), right?

Quite frankly, I was cheering for the Habs because they were the best team at the end of the year but they could not stay out of the penalty box when it mattered most on Saturday night. Once they were out, then I was cheering for the Leafs too - anybody but the Islanders and that crybaby Smyth - they are still wiping up his crocodile tears at the Airport.

If he wanted to stay here so badly he should have signed for$100,000 less and be done with it. In the end it will be good thing he is gone, now the Oilers can spend 7 million on true elite player - not sure where they are going to get that player but the money is there?!?!

With regards to this series, I don't think anybody gives the Islanders a chance despite the great coaching job that Nolan has done this year -he has certainly squeezed the most out of that team.

Obviously Buffalo is every body's favorite this year - they were the hot team at our draft last night and the Islanders were about as popular at Ed Belfour at aMiami night club. Buffalo would have been in the finals last year if not for injuries,now they are healthy and the Islanders will just be a speed bump on what should be a long ride in the Playoffs for the Sabres.

Any bets on how long it takes for Ruff to whine to the Media about some perceived injustice against his team - my guess is Game 3.

Buffalo in 4.

Keith
Count me as someone (surprise, surprise) who's not saddened that the blue and white aren't in this series.

Sure Wade (Yoda) Dubielewicz isn't the second coming of Billy Smith, but Andrew Raycroft isn't going to make anyone forget Terry Sawchuk any time soon (Did you SEE him in the last game of the season against the Habs?...He had worse control of his glove hand than Dr. Strangelove).

Anyway, we'd have to somehow arrive on Bizarro World for the Isles to have a chance in this series. Guys like Satan and Yashin would have to become playoff performers, while guys like Drury and Briere would have to start playing like, well, Alexi Yashin and Miro Satan.

The AHL castoff goalie (Yoda) would have to play like an all-star and Ryan Miller (who was EXCELLENT last year in the second round against the Sens) would have to play like an NHL castoff.

Buffalo's just too balanced, too well coached and has too much firepower to be threatened in this series. I'll give Teddy Nolan a game on pride, but call it: Sabres in Five.

Mike
Did I see Raycroft against the Habs? Sadly, yes.

I was one of the 2.8 million Canadians who watched that game. I know you only need about 1,100 people to have a scientifically valid poll, but if you were to ask each and every member of that national tv audience if they'd have Raycroft as their starting goalie in the 2007-08 season, 2,799,987 million of them would say no.

Unfortunately, JFJ is one of the 13 (the other 12 are likely related to Raycroft or part of his entourage) who think it's a good idea for Raycroft to start 60+ NHL games next year.

I'll put it another way: I watched the game with my mother-in-law who hasn't followed hockey since Stan Makita hung up the blades. This is a woman who needs to be reminded which team is which several times a game ("and which team is in red again?") and even she called for Raycroft to get yanked after the "exploding glove" goal. How is it she can see it and JFJ can't?

Coffee Cup: New York Islanders in 5 (I know that's a lousy pick, but what do you want? I'm an inanimate ceramic object that had two slips of paper pulled out of me. That said, the Leafs are going nowhere with Raycroft between the pipes)

2007 Playoff Predictions: Nashville v. San Jose

Nashville (4) v. San Jose (5)

Some nice sub-plots in this one: Will Thornton step-up and silence his critics? Who wins the trade deadline deal - Forsberg in Nashville or Guerin in San Jose?

Nashville is one of the few teams from the west that I saw a lot of this year and I could never figure out how on earth they were in the running for the President's trophy.

Let me clarify that. I know they have a great tandem in nets with Mason and Vokoun, perhaps the most depth at forward the NHL (three lines that can score, 4th most goals scored this season) and a pretty solid group of D. But I can't say I was ever awed or even impressed by a single one of their games. At no point did they even strike me as a team to be scared of. Maybe it's those mustard yellow jerseys, or their inability to hold on to the number 1 spot despite 24 games against St. Louis, Chicago and Columbus. Whatever it is, they haven't won me over.

Compared to Nashville, San Jose can ice a comparatively good group of forwards (I'd argue the best 1-2 punch in the NHL in Thornton and Marleau) and a comparable, perhaps slightly more offensively inclined D. I'm not sold on their goaltending though - I'd rather have Mason than either of Nabokov or Toskola and I think that might be the slight difference in this series.

If Nashville's offense can chase one of the Sharks goalies early, I like their odds...I think this may be the tightest series in the first round and next to Pittsburgh/Ottawa, the most fun to watch.

I'm going to call it Nashville in 7, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it go the other way.

Steph
Nashville's real power lies in their ability to blind their opponents with those godawful third jerseys, I mean it.

Seriously, though, they're such a quiet team - no one even realized they had the record they did until they sort of snuck up on us and were suddenly #1in the league. But even then, did anyone really consider them too much of a threat? Who knows, maybe the quiet but deadly thing will help them squeak through the playoffs as well. Almost as soon as everyone realized where they'd climbed to, though, they dropped off again.

For some reason I just don't see them standing up against the Sharks -unless, like Mike said, they can get through the goaltending early on - but I think what might really matter is which team starts the series off stronger.

I'm leaning toward San Jose in 7, but honestly, I'm not sure how much of that is sheer hope that we will never, EVER, have to see those puke-yellow jerseys ever again.

Rick
Sounds like we need to have a separate discussion about the ugliest jersey's as well. My vote goes to Vancouver (sorry Keith) who went from ugly - the hockey stick - to uglier with their Halloween jersey's of the early 80's. Even their jersey's now are pretty plain...

Personally I like Nashville's Yellow Jersey's but I don't know if I like Nashville beating San Jose (even though I dislike Ron Wilson).

So many questions:
Will Thornton finally produce in the playoffs?
Will the Trashers get consistent goaltending?
Do you pick the more consistent team through out the year - Nashville? or the hotter team - San Jose?
Will Forsberg finally start contributing or is he getting ready for retirement in the Swedish Elite League ?

I don't think Nashville has enough momentum to beat one of the hottest teams going into the playoffs. San Jose beat them last year after a scare early in the series and I suspect they will do the same this year, although I am not sure how much farther they will go.

I picked San Jose in our discussion last year but then ended up with Nashville players in my pool because they were still available in the 3rd and 4th rounds. I'll let you know tomorrow how my Draft turns out but for now I will predict San Jose in 6.

Keith
Rick, you're a nice guy, but are you BLIND? Those Nashville third jerseys are uglier than Ralph Klein at a homeless shelter.

The old skool flyin' Vs bring back warm feelings of the 1982 playoff run and Harold Schnepts...

I, like Mike, think there's some potential for the best hockey of the first round from this series.

Loads of offensive weapons on both sides of the ice, young, puck moving defensemen, on both sides...and no scary facial hair to speak of, which is good.

San Jose may be talented, experienced and lead by a better coach (sorry Rick) but I'm picking Nashville, if only because the NHL is developing a trend of teams from towns which don't give a rat's ass about the game making huge playoff runs (Anyone for an Atlanta - Nashville Stanley Cup Final?) Preds in 7

Rick
Hey, the homeless people thought Ralphy [Ralph Klein, former premier of Alberta] was King when he started tossing$50's at them when he "stopped" by a shelter unannounced after a "few"cocktails.

Alberta Politics has been pretty boring since he retired.

Keith, your theory about Atlanta making a run scares me because it makes a lot of sense after TB and Carolina's runs, but I picked an all-Canadian final in my Playoff Draft and I have never been wrong with my picks before right? - Not!

Coffee Cup: On a certain level, Albertan provincial politics are boring because the Tories have a virtual monopoly. That province would elect a tea cozy (and everyone knows it doesn't get lower than that) if it ran on a PC slate. Oh, and I say San Jose in 7.

2007 Playoff Predictions: Vancouver v. Dallas

Vancouver (3) Vs. Dallas (6)

Mike
Last year I was on holidays on the coast of Georgia during the first round of the playoffs and I watched every game of the Colorado - Dallas series on Versus (I've never seen so many mullets in a broadcast studio. Brian Engblom looks like he stole his hair from Snake on the Simpsons. I kept waiting for the theme music to be replaced by the Beastie Boys' Mullet Head. And what's up with Bill Clement? He reminds me of a mildly drunk uncle who talks way too loud with way too much authority about stuff he doesn't really get...it's no wonder no one watches hockey in the states if that's what they have to listen to.)

But back to Colorado v. Dallas - that series reminded me of two things: drinking cold Sweetwater beer on the deck while listening to the Ocean roll-in and the importance of solid goaltending (and as a Leaf fan, I know shoddy goaltending when I see it).

Marty Turco is 8-14 all time in the playoffs and 2-8 over his past two playoff appearances. He even had a losing record (2-3) with Michigan of the IHL.

If Dallas couldn't get by a team backstopped by Jose Theodore (think about that one for a second) there's no way they're beating one backed by Roberto Luongo.

The Canucks may be a one-line, one goalie team but with Turco's history that will be more than enough.

Call it Canucks in 6.

Rick
I don't know what to make of Dallas.

Last year they burned me in the playoffs (did I mention that already?) so I am a bit unsure about this team. They don't seem to do anything flashy yet they had another solid year. I was shocked to see that castoffs - Riberio and Nagy are their top two scorers [and to think my hockey pool mocked me mercilessly when I mistakenly drafted Ribeiro for a dime at the auction - Mike.].

It took a few months but the Canuckleheads have finally bought into Vigneault's system and they know Luongo will bail them out when needed (why didn't the Oiler's trade Pronger for him?).

The Canucks remind me of the Devils teams in the 90's that rode balanced scoring and Brodeur(Martin not Richard) to a couple of Cup wins.

This one is pretty easy to call.

Canucks in 5.

Steph
I have the same issues with Dallas as I do with Minnesota, in a way - sure they don't look bad, they're solid enough, but there's nothing sparking any real belief in a strong run from them, either. And of course there's Turco's less than beautiful playoff stats (think they'll go with Smith?).

The Canucks, on the other hand, might only have one really strong line and Luongo in net to rely on - but Detroit depended heavily on their top line and a strong goalie for a while too and look at how they finished the season.

They might burn out if that's all they can count on through the whole playoffs, but it should be enough to push them past Dallas.

Canucks in six.

Keith
Guys, First, I have to admit, I was, for a long time, a Canucks fan. It's not that I'm NOT anymore, but after 16 years in Ottawa (with at least six of those as a Sens ticket holder) my loyalties...shifted a little.

That said, I think my rooting interest is the only thing that's going to keep me interested in this series. Because, as a pure hockey play, I'm betting this is the least interesting tilt of the first round. Neither team scores. Both teams will sink and swim with the goalies.

Vancouver has the better goal tender.

Canucks in six.

Coffee Cup says: Vancouver in 5

2007 Playoff Predictions: Minnesota v. Anaheim

Minnesota v. Ducks

Mike
If this was a Jeopardy category, my best bet would to be to pull a Claven and respond "Who are two teams I really haven't seen play this season."

Anaheim certainly has the name factor in this series, including the best known 1 - 2 D in hockey (unless that category is overpaid stiffs, where the answer is of course "Who is Toronto?") and could conceivably have one of Pronger or Niedermayer on the ice at all times. But I think the name Lemaire is the one that casts the biggest shadow over this match-up...

Minnesota has the ninth best winning percentage when scoring first, that jumps up to 6th when leading after 1 and they first overall when leading after 2.

This team does not cough up a lead.

On the other side of the ice is a well balanced team with scoring depth that can hurt you on the PP.

It just might come down to Anaheim's 3rd best PP and Selanne's league leading 25 PP goals against the Wild's 2nd best PK (this will be important as the Wild are the 4th most penalized team in the NHL)

If Minnesota can get on the board against the Ducks first, I really like their odds in this match-up, especially if Gaborik is actually healthy.

I think this one has the potential to go seven and could go either way, but if I've got to call it one way or the other I'm going to go with the seeding and not the sleeper- call it Ducks in seven.

The playoffs are all about the beards and George Parros' mustache just might be the deciding factor in the series.

Keith
OK, first, how can anyone mention ANYTHING about the Ducks without going on a mini-rant about how ugly their new uniforms are? They look like those Chinese knockoffs of real hockey sweaters they used to sell in the hardware store in my isolated home town in northern British Columbia (You know, the ones with the slogans like "Team Fight Spirit: Hard Work Victory Club")

I have to agree with Mike on the Parros hair comment...dude looks like he just stepped off the set of a pirate-themed porn movie...

As for the hockey series (oh yeah, that...) I like the Ducks, if only because I'd like to think that we're OWED some manner of attractive hockey this time of year. Granted, Jacques Lemaire is probably the best coach in the NHL, he teams are better prepared, more disciplined and more defensively responsible than their opponents nine times out of ten and in this series they'll likely have the better goalie as well...but, as a hockey fan, do you really WANT to watch three more weeks of the Minnesota Wild clogging up the neutral zone?

Me neither.

Ducks in seven.

Steph
Well if we're going to focus on just how awful the new uniforms are, I thinkit's only fair you consider them an improvement to what they used to be. I mean raise your hand if you never ever want to see Chris Pronger lumbering around the ice in teal and purple with Disney characters plastered all over him. Really now. (Then again, if keeping the old uniforms would have meant getting to hear Ilya Bryzgalov teach us the history of every animated Disney duck, all of whom are on his old mask, in broken english, that had me convinced he had to do research just to finish the interview again, I'd be sold - it's really too bad whoever youtubed that interview took it down.)

Anyway, Minnesota's held up as a strong, patient, stable team...but nothing particularly stands out as spectacular, either. The Ducks have done nothing all season but show off all their strong points, Selanne, the Pronger/Niedermayer combo, two capable goalies... I think Minnesota will put up a fight but ultimately Anaheim has the bigger guns. I can only hope that Parros' mustache and whatever comes of it inspires the team with regard to their playing (if it spreads in aesthetically I might not be able to get through a game).

One team boring me to tears and the other making me cringe every time I look at their faces...I'm going to say the Ducks can pull it off in 6.

Mike
My hockey team actually paid the league registration fee in full and on time this year. In all my years of hockey, I've never seen this happen (most years the convener starts coming into the room in December pestering the team captains for the outstanding balance and all of the guys have to eventually cough up an extra $20 each in March to cover the rest of the fees).

To thank us, the league bought our team a full set of jerseys with a new logos and numbers. Any colour scheme we wanted. We voted for Coyote home jerseys - the dark red ones.

About three weeks into the season, the new jerseys and socks arrive. Oops. Somehow we ended up with Mighty Ducks dark purple and green outfits. Goes nice with our teams bright orange logo. It is hands down the ugliest jersey I have ever seen. If only I had green pants to go with it.

Keith
Actually, as sad as the old Anaheim jerseys were (and they were sad), I'd take em over the new ones. Then again, in a race between "Baldfaced attempt to appeal to cartoon-loving pre-teens" and "colour-blind and aesthetically retarded attempt to prove that we're now a serious team for, like, grownups and stuff" the REAL loser is the hockey-loving fan. But no matter.

Would have LOVED to hear the Bryz-terview. Comedy GOLD!

Steph
I'll give you that - as awful as the old ones were, I'm certainly not advocating these either. But at least they represent some sort of mild attempt at dignity, if nothing else? (Attempt being very much the keyword.)The interview really was golden, it's a giant shame it's not floating around anymore. "I don't know what this is....I'm not order this. Just....duck!"

Rick
Since all of you Eastern fellas were probably sleeping anytime a Wild or Ducks game was on TV, I will to try to fill in the blanks for you guys about these two teams.

First of all, these are the two toughest teams in the league. It will be interesting to see how much Parros - can you believe he went to Princeton? - and Boogaard - I think he went to Prince Albert ...Penitentiary - will play. BTW - Boogaard is the real cave man of this league. He hurts people. I can see a brawl happening at the end of one of these games if one team has a big lead.

Anaheim was the best team in the league for the first half of the year then Pronger got hurt a couple of times (you can see how valuable he is- too bad he couldn't keep his pecker in his pants in Edmonton, actually it is pretty interesting how infidelity has broken up the Oilers twice in the last five years - first Comrie, then Pronger ... but I digress).

Anyways, Anaheim seems to have taken their foot off the gas a bit over the past couple months which I like because we have all seen teams go hard all year and then tank in the playoffs - ie. the Senators, right Keith?

They certainly have all the tools to go for a long run; however, this is not the same Minnesota team from before the lockout. They have probably adapted better to the new NHL than any other team and they do have some goal scorers - Gaborik, Parrish, Demitra, Rolston.

This team got real good when Gaborik returned ...plus Backstrom has been super in net... though back to back shut outs against the AHL Oilers should not count. I really wish these two teams did not meet up in the first round because I like both of them. Plus if the Ducks make the Conference finals the Oilers get the Ducks 1st round pick next year too - Yahooo!!

I think if Backstrom stays hot the Wild have a real chance so I am going out on the limb here with an Upset Special! Wild in 7

Steph
That crack at Boogaard had me choking on my coffee. Hey, can we start taking bets on which little Duckling he knocks out of the lineup first an dhow long it'll take? I mean he's going to have to find someone other than Hemsky to pick on, now, after all...

Rick
My money on Andy MacDonald. He certainly did not have a problem going after the skill? players on the Oilers - Hemsky twice and Reasoner. Too bad we didn't have Laraque around to settle the score like he did for Phoenix earlier this year.

BTW - isn't it funny how a players career can be such a roller coaster. The Oilers couldn't get rid of Ty Conklin and Laraque fast enough last summer and now both of them are on strong playoff teams this Spring in Buffalo and Pittsburgh.

Mike
I hear you Rick, I still can't believe Gary Leeman won the Cup (as a healthy scratch, but still...) with the Habs in '93.

And Conklin looked brutal against Philly on Sunday, I don't know how long he'll be able to hold on in Buffalo...

Rick
Ah yes - Gary Leeman, another example of infidelity breaking up a team.I think both of our teams are cursed!

Mike
Your team may be cursed, but I'm doubtful they'd be goofy enough to have a reunion in 2029 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Oilers' last cup win.

Nothing like recognizing 40 years of futility in front of a national TV audience...

Rick
I thought that was just an excuse to mend fences with Dave Keon!! TheOilers were certainly mesmerized that night...

Steph
If Ty Conklin lifts the cup this year I will never stop laughing. Ever. It might be slightly hysterical (though that could probably be attributed to my sheer horror at Buffalo taking the cup in general), a little bitter, vaguely pained, and mostly full of shock...but just how priceless would that be. It is funny how his year ended up though - from the Oilers after that debacle last season, to the Blue Jackets, who didn't even want him after preseason and tossed him down to their AHL affiliate - and now up to the President's Trophy winners? Wow.

Coffee Cup: Minnesota in 6

Playoff Predictions 2007: Western Conference

It's time once again to offer up bad predictions about this year's playoff match ups.

Once again, I'm joined by my buddy Rick from Edmonton and Sens' fan Keith from PWI. New to the fray is Steph from No Pun Intended and hopefully at some point, Tom from the Out Route will be joining in as well.

We're going to try to get through all eight match-ups before the puck drops on Wednesday...this year I'm also going to introduce my version of Maggie the Monkey, instead it will be teams picked from my coffee cup:

Be interesting to see how the cup compares to the five of us.

Detroit Red Wings (1) v. Calgary Flames (8)

Mike (aka Bitter/MF37)
Another first place finish for the Red Wings, another match-up with an Albertan adversary: will it be another first round exit for Northern Michigan's finest?

The Flames can't seem to win on the road and the Red Wings can't seem to win in the playoffs.

I'm not even sure what the upset would be here. Would it be more surprising for the Wings to actually make the second round or for Calgary to go home early after making so many trades to prep for the post-season?

The most compelling part of this series may be wondering how many games it will take before Hasek goes on the IR.

It's a pretty even match-up for a 1 v. 8 seed: the teams split their season series 2-2, each team scored 12 goals over those four games and the home team won every time.

Given that there's one extra game in Motown, I'm going to go with the Wings in 7, but I don't think either of these teams will go any further than the second round.

Keith
Is it just me or has the departure of Steve Yzerman made the Red Wings one of the most dull franchises in the league?

They just go out there and win coldly and without any personality. Ice cold killers. Like someone who'd go "hit a lick" in a Chilli bar.

It's hard to like a team like that, it's hard to hate them either. Calgary, on the other hand, are likable. They're Canadian which is nice. AND they have Dion Phaneuf who provides me a whole world of viewing pleasure. Phaneuf may be the subject matter of a few too many of Pierre Maguire's masturbatory fantasies (everyone, repeat after me "That kid's a MONSTER!") but he did provide hockey fans one of this season's best bodychecks, (note to Sens haters, Denis Hamel no longer wears the red and black). More importantly, however, Phaneuf has a great nickname. My friends from Calgary call him "Caveman" which is not only an accurate description of his playing and interview style, but the physical resemblance is quite uncanny.

Likeable, very likable.

But of absolutely no bearing on the Wings/Flames series...

One the one hand, Calgary might not be able to win on the road but they did sweep a four game string to end the month of March and they (this just blows me away) scored more goals than Detroit this season. On the other hand Detroit are clearly the better team, but their ability in the Playoffs over the last couple years has been almost Senatorsian.

When it's that much of a mess, things usually come down to which team's goalie plays better.

Hasek and Kiprusoff have been pretty much a statistical saw off this season, but my gut goes with the Czech.

Detroit in 6

Steph
It's no secret the Red Wings like to hit the playoffs with brilliant records and then almost immediately choke - particularly against Albertan teams too. Knocked out by Edmonton in round one last season and Calgary in the second round the season before.

But then again, this is a different team than what we've seen the past few years. After the flop last year, losing Yzerman and Shanahan and dumping Manny Legace for a groin injury waiting to happen (albeit with a beautiful record when healthy), the horrid West Canada road trip that started off the season, that much was obvious.

So the question is: if the team could find a way to work back up from that and surprise everyone who thought they were going to decline, should we expect the same sort of surprise in the playoffs?

My bet is that as long as they can keep up the level of depth they've found again lately and not fall back on Datsyuk and Zetterberg for every goal (and so long as Hasek stays healthy - when the first "injury" flared up, the announcers claimed that "not since the Rockettes has so much attention been given to a thigh in Detroit", and the last thing anyone needs is that concern to move north), then yeah, we should - especially with that home advantage and Calgary's issues with the road.

Detroit in 6 - but don't underestimate the Flames.

(And for the record, Senatorsian is my new favorite word. Ever.)

Mike
Keith - if you think the Wings are dull, what are we going to do when it comes time to talk Minny?

Steph - I'm guessing that prior to the Rockettes, the most discussed thigh in Detroit involved the word "dismembered"

Three for three with Detroit so far...wonder if Rick or Tom will break the pattern and pick the Flames (can't imagine that Rick's Edmonton roots would permit such a thing...)

Keith
I'll wax poetic about Jacques Lemaire's ability to make chicken salad outta chicken feathers (Then I'll pick the Ducks...).

Rick
I think I will get my two year old son to make my picks this year considering how well I did last year - stupid Dallas!!

That being said - it is nice to be able start following hockey again after the Oilers decided to quit playing a month earlier than everybody else. Check out my blog at bitteroilfan.blogspot ... oh never mind.

Let's get on with it.

They say bad luck comes in 3's so could this be the third straight time that an Alberta team knocks out the Wings?

I don't think so.

The Wings lost to the Oilers last year ... ah yes, I remember watching Game 7 in a pub in Halifax at 11 PM, I'll never forget it ... sorry I got off track there. As I was saying - the Wings lost because Legace did not play well and their star players, especially Datsyuk, did not want to get their noses dirty and make the sacrifices necessary to win the battles for the puck that comes with playoff hockey.

We know the Wings are better in goal with Hasek and I think Wing's Defence and Depth are better this year as well - Kronwall is going to be the next Lidstrom. With his new contract, it still remains to be seen whether Datsyuk will prove his worth in the playoffs or whether he is just another Joe Thornton (I will elaborate more on that argument when we talk more about the Sharks).

We know all about the Flames' road woes but I think with their offensive additions this year that the Flames are a team with an identity crisis -are they an offensive juggernaut? Or the same old defensive shut down team?

Kipper has been getting lit up a lot lately as the Flames have been involved in more high scoring games. Also, I am not sure if the players fear Playfair as much as they did Sutter. If Sutter was still Coaching the Flames wouldn't have stopped playing when they were up 2-0on Saturday night against the Oilers and found out that Colorado lost.

But in the end, all of these factors mean nothing to me because there is no way I can ever, ever, EVER picked the hated Flames.

Wings in 6

Coffee Cup Says: Wings in 7